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How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name in the US
How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name in the US
9min read·Sarah Cornley·Feb 27, 2026
How much does it cost to trademark a name? Is the first payment refundable if the USPTO [United States Patent and Trademark Office] refuses your application? How many classes of goods or services can your name cover, and how much will those extra filing fees add to your total cost? Are you already selling, or will you file now and later need a Statement of Use after a Notice of Allowance? What if an examiner issues an Office Action and requests changes? Do you want attorney fees for help, or will you file in the Trademark Center on your own?
All the above answers will determine your total cost. The good news is that the article breaks down the costs into three buckets, explains what a mark is, and shows how trademark searches and class choices can prevent wasted filing fees.
Table of Contents
- What you are really paying for when you trademark a name
- How Much Does It Cost To Trademark a Name at the USPTO?
- Classes of goods and services: why your fees multiply
- Trademark search costs: the step that prevents wasted filing fees
- Wrapping up
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How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name in the US
What you are really paying for when you trademark a name
This segment reveals the things you’re actually paying for when you trademark a name.
The three cost buckets businesses should expect
First, note that a trademark isn’t just a form. Rather, it’s a review process that can lead to real legal protection, and most businesses see three cost buckets.
Clearly, the government filing fees go to the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) when you submit a trademark application. One thing you should know is that the fee isn’t refundable, even if the USPTO refuses the application.
There’s also the “help costs,” which are optional. So, you may have to pay attorney fees or even hire help with the application process to avoid errors.
Finally, there are surprise costs, which appear as extra bills after you file. A few popular examples include an “Office Action” (a letter that asks you to fix something) or even a “Statement of Use,” which you file later if you apply before you start selling under the name.
What a “mark” means in simple terms
A mark is actually what customers recognize. It can be a business name, brand name, slogan, or logo. In truth, most businesses file a word mark first, which means the name. With a word mark, you protect the words no matter the font, while a logo filing protects the design you submit. Apparently, filing more than one mark can raise your overall cost.
Why federal trademark registration is important for businesses
Federal trademark registration provides your business with stronger nationwide trademark protection. It also helps to stop copycats faster, while proving your rights when you need to enforce them.
How Much Does It Cost To Trademark a Name at the USPTO?
In this section, you’ll learn how much a Trademark costs at the USPTO.
The base USPTO filing fee
The USPTO basically charges a filing fee for each class you apply for. And a class is simply a category of goods or services. So, the number of trademark classes you decide to trademark can change your total cost.
Another thing, fees are always subject to change. In 2025 and 2026, online filings typically cost a few hundred dollars per class, depending on the option you opted for. So, that’s why you must always confirm the current fee on the USPTO site before you submit.
Where you file: TEAS and Trademark Center
TEAS (Trademark Electronic Application System) has been the spot for online filing for years. Most businesses today file and manage trademark applications in the USPTO Trademark Center.
What you pay for in the application process
In truth, your filing fee covers the USPTO review. After you submit your filing, an examiner checks your application. If any problem is spotted, you may get an Office Action. But if everything goes well, the mark moves through publication and then toward registration.
Fees that can show up after the first payment
Some USPTO costs come later. So, if you file under intent to use, you will actually pay extra fees after a Notice of Allowance, especially when you file a “Statement of Use” to prove real use in commerce. Other extra costs may come from petitions, amendments, or requests for more time to respond.
Classes of goods and services: why your fees multiply
You can use a single name to cover many things, but there are added costs for each class.
What “class” means and how International Classes work
One thing you should note is that the USPTO uses International Classes. Plus, each class covers a specific category for a type of goods or services. So, each box you add actually means another filing fee.
Goods vs services in real business terms
Goods are the products you sell. Services are the work you do for customers. If one name covers both, you may need more than one class.
Simple examples to help you understand
If you sell shorts, for instance, you’ll have to file in the clothing class. Also, a clothing line of combat shorts will still sit in that same class, so you may still have to pay for one class. If that same business name also covers services like marketing or consulting, that requires a separate class and another set of USPTO filing fees.
How to avoid picking the wrong classes and paying more later
First, start with a simple, tidy list of what you sell and what you do. Afterward, match the list to the options shown in the Trademark Center. While you’re at it, ensure your wording is accurate. Note that poor class choices often lead to Office Actions, delays, and additional costs.
Trademark search costs: the step that prevents wasted filing fees
No doubt, a search can cost extra money now, but it can prevent you from losing your filing fee.
Quick search vs comprehensive trademark search
A quick trademark search usually involves using the USPTO database to look for the same or similar name. But with a comprehensive trademark search, you tend to go further. A comprehensive search involves you looking for close spellings and related names across similar goods and services. Many businesses actually pay for this comprehensive search when the name drives revenue.
How conflicts happen inside trademark registers
Conflicts occur when two marks look or sound similar, while still covering related goods or services. If the USPTO thinks customers could get confused by the name provided by your business, it may refuse the trademark application. Also, note that trademark owners can challenge your mark at any time during the process or later.
What to collect before you file
Before you file, always gather the exact name spelling, any common variations, and a neat list of goods and services. If you already use the name, you have to then collect proof of use in commerce, like a product label, a website page with a buy button, or even a service page that shows the name and how customers use your services.
How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name with a Trademark Attorney
One truth nobody tells you is that, when it comes to trademarking, the cheapest route can end up costing more if you make a few small mistakes.
What attorney fees usually cover
Trademark attorneys may charge a flat fee, an hourly rate, or even both in some cases. A flat fee often covers the cost of filing the initial application. It may not cover Office Actions, extra classes, or later documents, such as a Statement of Use, so always ask what is included in their services before using them.
When a trademark attorney is the best option
Hiring a trademark attorney is perfect when your business name is a core asset. It can also help when you need to get multiple classes, your name is close to other marks, or when you receive an Office Action.
Questions to ask before you hire
Here are questions to ask the lawyer before hiring their services:
- What does your flat fee include, and what counts as additional fees?
- Do you add responses to Office Actions, or bill them separately?
- Are you responsible for handling the Statement of Use after a Notice of Allowance?
- What USPTO filing fees should I expect for the number of classes I’m applying for?
- How will you share updates, and how fast do you reply to email?
Note: This is only general information, not legal advice for a unique case.
Wrapping up
Now, you have the answer to the question “how much does it cost to trademark a name?” So, it’s now time to make your move by paying the non-refundable filing fee to the USPTO. As you know your filing doesn’t mean your trademark application won’t be refused. The most important thing is to just follow all the basic guidelines mentioned in this article.
If you’re overwhelmed by the whole process, you can subscribe to the services of a trademark attorney; even if it costs more upfront, it will at least save you from wasting money on rejected applications that cost you more in the long run. Plus, if your name is already a core asset because you’re already making huge sales with the name, an attorney is important. Instead of wasting money on failed applications and getting overwhelmed by the whole process, with the help of an attorney, you can focus more of your time on growing your business and boosting your sales.
And as your sales grow, so does your inventory. That’s where Accio, a B2B sourcing platform for small businesses, comes in. With the platform, you can find trusted suppliers offering quality products at low factory prices. But before choosing, just compare different prices, delivery dates, MOQs, and return policies.